The Christian “Red Pill”

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Over the past year, I have grown to enjoy reading blogs. It has shown me that I am not alone at where I am in life. Reading some of them is encouraging, convicting, and edifying. Some of them also help me to understand where other people are coming from in their views as well, whether it be about the Bible, Christianity, marriage, or some controversial topic. They helps me to understand why people think the way they do, even if they are wrong. One of the reasons why I think some people blog is because there may not be anyone around them that will respect them enough to listen to them. Blogging gives them the opportunity to discuss their views without someone close to them condemning them for doing so. Reading blogs gives us the opportunity to know why atheists have a problem with a deity, what is going on in the mind of someone with a different view of the Bible, or why people hate church. We can then come and discuss it with them at their level instead of just making sure they know “their wrong and we’re right”. How far will that attitude get you?

Around the blogging world (aka the blogosphere), there is a genre of what is considered “red pill”. The “red pill” is a term derived from the movie “The Matrix” to refer to having one’s eyes opened to things that are not commonly seen. In the movie, a character is offered a red pill that will change his life or a blue pill that will make him forget any changes and go with the flow of others. (To those who are “red pill” or are familiar with the movie, forgive me if I am misrepresenting the movie. I still haven’t watched it. I have just seen clips and other blogs referring to it.) I have dealt with swallowing the “red pill” myself in this post.

I hope I am not going out on a limb by posting this because many “red pill” blogs have to do with relating to women, marriage, and alpha and beta traits, both secular and Christian. However, of the Christian ones, many of the topics discussed point out how the Bible is being either horribly distorted or totally neglected by many in Christianity. I appreciate many of their posts. It has helped me to see the questions that I have asked are ones that others ask too. I am not necessarily here to speak specifically about any “flavor” of the “red pill” such as feminism, marriage, PUA, Game, MRM, or the like. In this post, I want to broaden the reach of the Christian “red pill”. The Christian red pill is not anything special. All it is about is taking the Bible for what it’s worth at face value. It’s about taking all of what God says, not only the parts you like, and counting it as truth and seeking to please God by doing it, even if it goes against the “Christian” norm.

For me, I think I accidentally swallowed the “Red Pill”. From what I’ve read, that seems like this happens to many people. God has a way of getting our attention when we’re to dumb to realize things ourselves. (Again, click the link above to read my “red pill” story.)

The “red pill” goes down hard, tastes horrible, and has serious side effects. You are just living life and BOOM! …questions arise. You get answers to those questions that don’t make sense and it makes you question things even more. You wonder where in the Bible what is said came from. But what is said is just the way it is. Everyone seems to think it as well. It’s just tradition. Then you hear that Pastor so-and-so said “this” or a Christian book or radio program said “that”. Where did they get THAT from? Suddenly, you start fighting with yourself on what is true or not. Who is right? You realize God is. His Word is truth whether other Christians want to follow it or not.

The “red pill” is really nothing new, either. Many, many people through the ages have taken the pill. Some of the more famous ones are ingrained into Christian history. Martin Luther took the “red pill” and questioned the authority and some practices of the Roman Catholic Church with what the Scriptures taught, only to be condemned because of it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer did not sway with the Church toward Hitler’s Nazi Regime and stood his ground at the cost of his life at the age of 39. John Hus was burned at the stake for speaking against the Roman Catholic Church in his time. William Tyndale was burned alive for translating the Bible into common English. John Wycliffe was deemed a heretic for his Bible-based views prior to the reformation. He died of natural causes, but his body was dug up a burned afterwards. Charles Spurgeon, a London pastor in the 1800’s, stood strong in the midst of the “downgrade controversy” when, even among Christians, the Bible was being questioned if it was the sole authority. Ultimately, Jesus, the Maker of the “red pill”, stood up against the religious authority of His day who made their own rules instead of following God’s Word.

You see, the Christian “red pill” is nothing new. It is believing EVERYTHING God says in the His Word whether it sounds good or not, even if other “Christians” think otherwise. It means not throwing in psychology or philosophy along with the Bible. It means doing what God says even if it’s not the cultural norm. It means dying to yourself and the world around you. The Christian “red pill” simply means believing and doing what God says. Hey, isn’t that what Jesus tells us to do anyway?

Yet, in the United States, our culture wants things our own way. Don’t like what the preacher says? Go to the church down the street. You can watch preachers on TV that will tell you how to get what you want and get your best life. They can tell you God thinks your awesome, wonderful, and that you’re the greatest thing ever. Okay, before I go into a sarcastic seizure, I’ll move on.

You know those crazy medication commercials you see on TV or hear on the radio? You know, the ones that say you can be free of some pain or other issue at the risk of side effects that includes dry mouth, constipation, internal bleeding, or infection that can lead to death. If someone would make a video “commercial” about the Christian “red pill”, that would be an awesome thing to watch. I would advertise the Christian “Red pill” something like this: (Of course, I’d need to make it way more concise.)

Benefits for everyone include:

– You don’t care what other people think about you, but what God thinks. You don’t worry if people hate you because your life doesn’t consist of pleasing others, but pleasing God. The world will hate you because you are not of this world. But if the world loves you, you need to check yourself. (John 17:14, 7:7, 15:18-19, 1 John 3:13)
You seek to be humble. You know you are not wonderful and never were. You understand it is only by God’s grace that you are not drowning in the depths of sin. You do not boast in anything but God because you offer nothing good and He gives everything good. You do not boast in any of your own accomplishments, but in what God has accomplished. (2 Corinthians 10:17, Romans 12:3)
– You remember where you came from. You know who you were before Christ and know you would still be there, or worse, without Him. Therefore, you also treat other “sinners”, even homosexuals, like actual human beings. If it weren’t for Christ, you’d be going to the same Hell for your own disobedience to God.
– You understand that political leaders are chosen by God. Therefore, you can spend more time preaching the gospel that can change hearts and lives instead of preaching about political issues. Changing people’s minds about abortion, civil rights, or homosexuality will not make them a follower of Christ, but God changing their hearts through the gospel will. (Daniel 4:35, Romans 13:1, Daniel 4:25)
– You take responsibility for your own sins. It is not so-and-so’s fault that you did this or that. If you did it, it’s your own fault and you will be held accountable for it. Deal with it. (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11)
– Yet, you also understand that your actions or words can have an effect of others. They may be tempted to sin because of something you said or did. You know you can put a stumbling block in front of another brother or sister. (1 Corinthians 8:9-11)
– You understand that everybody have different gifts and different issues they struggle with than you do. You can encourage others that are going through things that you are strong in and get help for things you are weak in. You also do not look down and judge those that are weaker than you in certain areas. You understand that without God’s grace, you can be in that same position. (1 Corinthians 12:4-27)
– You understand there is a difference between “church” and the “Church” If you are a true follower of Christ, you are part of the “Body of Christ” or community of Christians from around the world that spans throughout history that doesn’t involve denominations. You seek to help, build up, challenge, encourage, strengthen, and be like-minded with those in the Body. You understand that not everyone in the Body is just like you. God has given to each one different talents and gifts. Each one is either stronger or weaker in faith than you. But the Body seeks to work together to glorify God, the one who bought it. Lastly, your Christian walk does not consist of being in a building for a few hours a week and only becoming a clique with a few people and forsaking the rest of the Body.
– You understand that the Gospel is not about life-enhancement. Jesus did not come and die just to make you live a happy life. The Bible has much to say about you being a sinner and condemned already because of your sin. It speaks plainly about what you deserve and what you will receive without the atonement that comes only from Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. (If that doesn’t make sense, message or email me.) The Gospel is about becoming righteous, or having being made right in the eyes of God, despite your rebellion against Him. It’s about His glory, His salvation, and His righteousness. The only thing you bring to the table is sin. (Romans 3:9-28, Ephesians 2)
– You understand that no matter how much of the red pill you swallow, you are to be humble, contrite, and a servant to all. You are not to be wise in your own opinion. You are to bear with those who are weak. You are to provide unity to the Body of Christ and not discord and division. (Romans 12:9-21)

Benefits for men:
– You will man up. You will not man up as it is commonly refered to by being nice and doing what everyone tells you to do. Manning up does not mean being blamed for everyone else’s behavior, including your wife’s. You will man up by doing the things God says without excuse. God tells us we should imitate Him. God is not always nice. He is full of truth. He answers to no one. You only answer to Him.
– You will seek to be a man as Christ was. You are called to follow, imitate, and be like Him. ALL OF HIM! This means not only being humble, serving, and gentle when need be, but also standing firm in God’s truth. It also means calling people out in their sin. We have seemed to forget that Jesus and Paul were sarcastic and said things that seemed cruel for the glory of God. There is a big difference in being sarcastic to rip someone apart and doing it to uphold God’s truths. (Matt 15:22-26, Galatians 5:2-12)
– You will call out sin without worrying about anyone’s feelings or if they are offended. Jesus was never apologetic for being offensive because of the truth and neither should you.
– You will learn to love your wife as Christ does the church. He did so by laying His life down for it, not give it everything it ever wanted. He served us by doing what was best for us. He does not ask us what He should do even when we whine and complain. (Ephesians 5:25-33, Colossians 3:19, 1 Peter 3:7)
– You understand that love is not a feeling, but is an action as listed in 1st Corinthians 13. No matter how you “feel”, you are to love your wife and love others.
– You also understand that God tells you to love your wife no matter what she is like or how she treats you. This does not mean you ignore her sin. It does not mean she is not responsible. It means you are to do what you are supposed to do before God.
– You will learn to teach and lead your children in humility, not provoking them to be angry.
– You will not apologize for being a man. God made you a man with certain talents, responsibilities, and desires. It is not a sin to be the way you are unless God’s Word tells you it’s a sin. Period. You do not let this world, culture, or even modern Christianity tell you what a man is. You learn from God’s Word.

Benefits for women:
– You will woman down. You will not try to be like a man, because you are not a man. You understand that God has given men and women certain responsibilities.
– You will submit to your husband as the Church does to Christ. It does so by respecting and obeying Christ. The Church does not tell Christ what He should do and then yell at Him when He doesn’t do it their way. The Church does not tell Christ how to be a better Savior. The Church does not whine and complain until it gets her way, but asks Christ for things knowing that Christ has its best interest in mind and will give it what it needs. (Ephesians 5:22-24,33, Colossians 3:18, 1 Peter 3:1-6 – notice the “likewise” in verse 1? read the full context (1 Peter 2:13-3:6))
– You understand that God tells you to respect and submit to your husband no matter if you “feel” like he’s loving you or not. God’s command for you to submit to your husband is not conditional to his performance. This does not mean ignore His sin. It doesn’t mean you follow him into sin against God. It does not mean he is not responsible. It means you are to do what you are supposed to do before God.
– You will not seek to have authority over men in the Church. You understand that the head of every woman is man. That is God’s design. (1 Timothy 2:8-15)
– You understand you are responsible for your own behavior and sin. You will not blame men for your own irresponsible sins. (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11)

Side effects:
– Other people, even Christians, will not understand you and think you’re very strange.
– Christians might label you as legalistic. They may say things like: “That’s not for today”, “You’re taking it out of context”, or “Why are you so judgmental?” Yet, your motive for wanting to do what God says is not to be right before God, it is because you ARE right before God because of Christ and want to obey Him out of love.
– You may lose your possessions and your family and friends may leave you.
– People may get very angry with you.
– People may hate you.
– People may physically hurt you.
– You may even lose your life.

But aren’t most of the side effects are things that God tells us will happen, anyway? Didn’t Jesus come with a sword to divide people? Didn’t he say you’d better be willing to lose everything, including your spouse and children, even your own life, to be His disciple? Didn’t He say that you’re blessed when persecuted and woe to you when people speak well of you? Don’t we have numerous examples in the Bible and through history to confirm this?

Of course, benefits of the “Red Pill” take time. Once you take the Bible more seriously than what others may tell you how to live your life, it is just a matter of time before the questions arise and the “red pill” starts its effectiveness. It is at this time that you MUST decide whether you go along for the ride in Churchianity, leave it all together, or decide that God is right and man is wrong and follow hard after God.

If you decide to follow hard after God after tasting the “red pill”, you need to realize some things. His Word, that you decide to cling to above what anyone else says, tells you to be humble and not to be wise in your own eyes. (I know I mentioned this above, but I can’t say it enough.) You are to use your gifts that God has given you to build the Body of Christ up, not to tear it apart. Above all, Pray, pray, pray and understand that we are in a spiritual battle. We do not war against each other, but against the powers of darkness.

As I said, the “red pill” is nothing more than taking Scripture for what it’s worth. Satan has, unfortunately, duped many Christians and churches into what he did to Eve…to question many things that God has said. We have divided ourselves by whether we believe the same things or not. We try to control one another instead of encouraging one another and letting God work in each others hearts. We have lost the ability to discern between truth and “kind-of” truth. Satan has bound us with many lies.

It’s time we “Christian up” and take things seriously. It’s time we stood on the Word of God alone and judge everything according to it, not trying to fit what other people say into it. It’s time we get tired of just “playing church” and start taking the Kingdom by force. It’s time we be on offense with the Word of God. It’s time to stop being a “cookie-cutter” Christian and be real.

It time we follow Christ and not other people.

For further reading:Red Pill MinistriesRed Pill ChristiansI would also have a link to CMD-N’s blog on “manning up (for real)”, but it is no longer available. (If someone can find it or let the author know it is missed, that would be great.)

That is certainly the case in the Methodist Church in Britain, which seems to be blissfully unaware that it is not acting as watchman to keep people from heading for Hell. Indeed, from some of the garbage I have seen on its website, it is more part of the problem than part of the solution.

I don’t much care for the term “Christian Red Pill”, since it sounds like just another case of Christians hopping on a bandwagon once it’s been rolling for some time, in an attempt to look “relevant”. It makes us look a bit pathetic.

John Hus was burned at the stake for speaking against the Roman Catholic Church

Indeed he was. The Church of Rome is Satanic and those who are in it are greatly deceived.

It means not throwing in psychology or philosophy along with the Bible.

Amen. Yet the vast majority of “Red Pill Christian” blogs do just this.

If you are a true follower of Christ, you are part of the “Body of Christ” or community of Christians from around the world that spans throughout history that doesn’t involve denominations.

Some churches and denominations are so whacked that if you’re in one of them, your only hope is to get out fast before you’re dragged down by it.

You will call out sin without worrying about anyone’s feelings or if they are offended. Jesus was never apologetic for being offensive because of the truth and neither should you.

Oh, but that’s soooo judgemental!

Christians might label you as legalistic. They may say things like: “That’s not for today”

It is at this time that you MUST decide whether you go along for the ride in Churchianity, leave it all together, or decide that God is right and man is wrong and follow hard after God.

There are pitifully few choosing the latter, sadly.

As I said, the “red pill” is nothing more than taking Scripture for what it’s worth.

Which is why we should stop using the term — believers were the ones who possessed the truth about men and women, long before the Matrix was written or the ‘Manosphere’ emerged. And so much of the latter is not only unbiblical but wicked (PUAs, fornication, adultery and so on), that I don’t know whether it’s good to use its terminology at all.

One can see clearly how God intended men and women to live, by studying the model God established in Eden and meditating on the wonderful Law He gave to His own society of chosen people, Israel. Anyone who does this honestly will conclude that patriarchy is His way. …Something that modern churches take pains to deny.

Good thoughts here. I have a son-in-law who is one of millions who insists that by the Bible, when a woman commits adultery, it is her husband’s sin. He is a Baptist deacon.

I first encountered this false belief in 1984. I was counseling divorced men, and a Christian man called to tell me he had learned his wife had a lover. He thought it made sense to talk to his pastor, who screamed at him that it was his fault.

I was shocked to say the least. I bought a paperback version of either NAS or NIV, I forget, and went through it page by page, looking for any reference to marriage; sex; men; women; anything close. When I found one, I wrote the page number in the back cover, and when I had scanned the entire book, went back reference by reference. Nothing. Nothing at all said any such thing. In case of doubt, I checked the reference against another translation. Heretics often claim the translation you are using is somehow wrong, so I checked more than one.

The Bible does make it clear that in the Garden, Eve’s spiritutal leader and teacher was God Himself, not Eve as the heretics claim. Yet, she was able to sin. So, when these heretical pastors tell a cuckolded man that if he had been a Real Man his wife would not have sinned, they are expecting him to be more powerful than God.

I also found two references to rebellious, argumentative wives, and no solution is given, except you would be better off living in the desert or on a roof top than be married to such a woman.

I well know how the heresy came about. The Bible gives an imperative statement to wives to submit to their husbands And, it gives an imperative statement to men to love their wives, as you state.

It gives an informative statement to all that men are to be the leaders. Their childish ego leads them to believe if a Real Man leads, his wife’s knees will buckle, and she will become obedient and compliant. In truth, when a wife submits, a husband will realize he must lead.

My daughter is one of the most contentious women I have ever known. Yet her husband still thinks it’s a mans fault of a women rebels.

Bravo!!!!! The Word of God is not a grab bin where we can take what we want and leave what we don’t. The peace of knowing all I need to know on this Earth is in my Bible right in front of me is a comfort unmatched by anything. You honor God with your blog and I am blessed to have read it. Thank you, from a fellow Michigander.

You are not a Christian. The red pill is not about ‘church’, or the Bible. If you haven’t truly felt the change that happens when you accept Jesus Christ in your heart, then you are still of the world, and you do not know God’s redemption. When you do, then you will understand Christianity. Fully.

As I have already stated, the “red pill” is just a term used to mean that you see things you didn’t see before. I did not state that it was “church” or the “Bible”.

I will say, however, that that your foundation must be the Bible if you follow Jesus Christ. Otherwise, how do you know truth? Also, it is not about understanding “Christianity” fully, but about knowing God and His Son, Jesus Christ, through the Bible. I know and can tell you a lot of things about “Christianity” that are not of Christ. So, be careful of what and/or who you learn from.

A few questions for you: Where does it say that one must “accept Jesus into your heart”? What does that mean? Why do you say that I am not a Christian?

My words were premature, I came to this article because I was experiencing the revelation that the Matrix was simply a Christian allegory.
I am not against you, brother. Everything you said was spoken with truth, and that’s how my ‘red pill’ awakening happened to me. It was foolish of me to judge this article and it’s writer without full knowledge – if there were only more people speaking this truth to the world, then the Kingdom would have more men.

I did not understand you were denouncing articles that took the Bible out of context and spit half-truths to defame God. I just didn’t read the whole article.